Use of yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and/or neodymium as reinforcing agent for an anticorrosion coating composition

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present invention is the use of at least one element chosen from among yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium, in the form of oxides or salts, as reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of an anticorrosion coating composition containing a particulate metal, in aqueous or organic phase, for metal parts.

The present invention sets out to develop an anticorrosion coating for metal parts, preferably free of hexavalent chromium, that has improved anticorrosion properties.

The present invention applies to all types of metal parts, in particular in steel or cast iron or whose surface is formed of a layer of zinc or zinc alloy, which require high resistance to corrosion, on account of their intended use in the automotive industry for example. Anticorrosion coating compositions, free of hexavalent chromium, have already been recommended. Some of these compositions contain a particulate metal. The particulate metal, such as zinc and/or aluminium, is in suspension in the composition and provides the metal part with sacrificial protection against a corrosive medium. Aqueous anticorrosion coating compositions for example have been described for metal parts, containing a particulate metal, an appropriate solvent, a thickener and a binder formed of a silane. Particulate metal-based compositions have also been described whose storage stability and anticorrosion performance are improved through the incorporation of molybdenum oxide (MoO₃) in the composition.

Within the scope of the present invention, the applicant has discovered that it is possible to improve the anticorrosion properties of compositions containing particulate metal by incorporating therein at least one element chosen from among yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium, in the form of oxides or salts.

The anticorrosion performance of coating compositions containing particulate metal prove to be further improved when the above-cited elements are associated with molybdenum oxide.

The compositions containing particulate metal concerned, by the present invention may be aqueous phase or organic phase compositions. They are recommended when high resistance to corrosion is required.

The subject of the present invention is therefore the use of at least one element chosen from among yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium in the form of oxides or salts, as agent to reinforce the anticorrosion properties of an anticorrosion coating composition containing a particulate metal, in aqueous or organic phase, for metal parts.

A further subject of the invention is the use of at least one of the above-cited elements, optionally associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃, as reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of an anticorrosion coating composition containing a particulate metal, in aqueous or organic phase, for metal parts.

Without this interpretation being restrictive, it would seem that the presence of at least one of the above-cited elements makes it possible to reinforce the efficacy of the anticorrosion protection imparted by the particulate metal in the composition.

The particulate metal present in the composition is preferably added in powder form, of different geometric, homogeneous or heterogeneous structures, in particular spherical, laminar, lenticular forms or other specific forms.

The oxides or salts of the above-cited elements which are used as reinforcing agents for the anticorrosion properties of the composition, are generally in powder form whose particles have a D₅₀ of less than 20 μm (the value D₅₀ means that 50% by number of the particles have a particle size of less than this value, and 50% by number of the particles have a particle size greater than this value). During the preparation of the coating composition, a prior particle grinding or dispersion step (to break up agglomerates into elementary particles) may be conducted so that the composition contains particles with a D₅₀ of less than 3 μm.

These oxides or salts may be fully soluble, partially soluble or completely insoluble in aqueous phase or organic phase. They may be in dispersed or solubilised form within the composition.

Yttrium salts are advantageously chosen from among yttrium acetate, chloride, formate, carbonate, sulfamate, lactate, nitrate, oxalate, sulfate, phosphate and aluminate (Y₃Al₅O₁₂), and their mixtures.

Yttrium oxide is advantageously in the form Y₂O₃.

Yttrium is preferably used in oxide form.

The yttrium oxide Y₂O₃ used to prepare the coating composition is generally in the form of particles having a size of between 1 μm and 40 μm, with a D₅₀ of approximately 6 to 8 μm. When preparing the coating composition, a prior particle grinding or dispersion step (to break up agglomerates into elementary particles) may be conducted so that the composition contains particles having a D₅₀ of less than 3 μm.

Zirconium salts are preferably chosen from among zirconium carbonate, silicate, sulfate, and titanate, and their mixtures.

Zirconium oxide is advantageously in the form ZrO₂.

Lanthanum salts are advantageously chosen from among lanthanum acetate, oxalate, nitrate, sulfate, carbonate, phosphate and aluminate (LaAlO₃), and their mixtures.

Lanthanum oxide is preferably in the form La₂O₃.

Cerium salts are advantageously chosen from among cerium chloride, carbonate, acetate, nitrate, oxalate, sulfate, phosphate, molybdate (Ce₂(MoO₄)₃) and tungstate (Ce₂(WO₄)₃), and their mixtures.

Cerium oxide is advantageously in the form CeO₂.

Cerium is preferably used in the form of cerium chloride or CeO₂.

Praseodymium salts are advantageously chosen from among praseodymium carbonate, chloride, nitrate, oxalate and sulfate, and their mixtures.

Praseodymium oxide is advantageously in the form Pr₆O₁₁.

Neodymium salts are advantageously chosen from among neodymium carbonate, chloride, nitrate and sulfate, and their mixtures.

Neodymium oxide is advantageously in the form Nd₂O₃.

When the composition also contains molybdenum oxide MoO₃ associated with one of the above-cited elements used as reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition, MoO₃ is advantageously incorporated in essentially pure orthorhombic crystalline form, having a molybdenum content of more than around 60% by weight.

Preferably, the molybdenum oxide MoO₃ is in the form of particles having a size of between 1 μm and 200 μm.

Preferably, said reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition is associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃ in a weight ratio of 0.25<anticorrosion property reinforcing agent: MoO₃<20, preferably 0.5<anticorrosion property reinforcing agent:MoO₃<16, further preferably 0.5<anticorrosion property reinforcing agent:MoO₃<14.

Preferably yttrium oxide Y₂O₃ is used in association with molybdenum oxide MoO₃. A further subject of the invention is the use of yttrium oxide Y₂O₃ in association with molybdenum oxide MoO₃ in a weight ratio of 0.25<Y₂O₃:MoO₃<20, preferably 0.5<Y₂O₃:MoO₃<16, further preferably 0.5<Y₂O₃:MoO₃<14.

A further subject of the invention concerns anticorrosion coating compositions for metal parts, comprising:

-   -   at least one particulate metal;     -   a reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the         composition, chosen from among yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum,         cerium, praseodymium and neodymium, in the form of oxides or         salts, optionally associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃;     -   a binder; and     -   either water, optionally associated with one or more organic         solvents, or one or more organic solvents miscible inter se.

The coating composition contains at least one particulate metal, i.e. one or more particulate metals.

Advantageously, the particulate metal content lies between 10% and 40% by weight relative to the weight of the composition.

The particulate metal may be chosen from among zinc, aluminium, tin, manganese, nickel, their alloys, and their mixtures.

Preferably the particulate metal is chosen from among zinc, aluminium, their alloys and their mixtures. Preferably the alloys are chosen from the alloys of zinc and aluminium containing at least 3% by weight aluminium, preferably 7% by weight of aluminium, and the zinc and tin alloys containing at least 10% by weight of tin.

The content of anticorrosion property reinforcing agent of the composition preferably lies between 0.5% and 10% by weight relative to the weight of the composition, preferably between 1% and 8% by weight relative to the weight of the composition, further preferably between 1% and 7% by weight relative to the weight of the composition.

The reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition is advantageously yttrium, preferably in the oxide form Y₂O₃, or cerium preferably in the form of cerium chloride.

The reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition is advantageously associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃ in a weight ratio of 0.25<anticorrosion property reinforcing agent:MoO₃<20, preferably 0.5<anticorrosion property reinforcing agent:MoO₃<16, further preferably 0.5<anticorrosion property reinforcing agent:MoO₃<14.

The binder content preferably lies between 3% and 20% by weight relative to the weight of the composition. The binder may be of organic and/or mineral type in aqueous or organic phase. The choice of the binder depends on different criteria, among which is the baking temperature of the coating composition.

The binder is preferably chosen from among an alcoxylated silane, optionally organofunctionalised, such as γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane or γ-glycidoxy-propyltrimethoxysilane, a silicone resin, a silicate of sodium and/or potassium and/or lithium, a zirconate, a titanate, an epoxy resin, a phenoxy resin, an acrylic and their mixtures.

The binder may be associated with a crosslinking agent of phenolic type,aminoplast type, or dicyandiamide type. Acid catalysts may also be added in order to catalyse the crosslinking reaction.

If the composition is in aqueous phase, a colloidal silica may be used in association with resins, as binder.

If the coating composition is in aqueous phase, the liquid phase is formed of water and may also contain up to 30% by weight of an organic solvent or a mixture of organic water-miscible solvents.

If the coating composition is in organic phase, the liquid phase is entirely made up of an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents miscible inter se.

The organic solvent or solvents are chosen in relation to the binder, so as to solubilise the latter or stabilise a dispersion thereof. The organic solvent or solvents are advantageously chosen from white spirit, alcohols, ketones, aromatic solvents and glycol solvents such as glycol ethers, in particular diethyleneglycol, triethyleneglycol and dipropyleneglycol, acetates, polyethyleneglycol and nitropropane, and their mixtures.

The coating composition may also contain a thickener if the type of application so requires, if it is to be applied by dipping-centrifuging for example.

The content of thickening agent is advantageously less than 7% by weight relative to the weight of the composition, preferably between 0.005% and 7% by weight relative to the weight of the composition.

The thickening agent is advantageously chosen from among the cellulose derivatives such as hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxy-propylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, xanthane gum, associative thickeners of polyurethane or acrylic type, silicas, silicates such as silicates of magnesium and/or lithium optionally treated, or organophilic clays, and their mixtures.

The coating composition may also comprise a lubricating agent in sufficient quantity to obtain a self-lubricated system, chosen in particular from among polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, MoS₂, graphite, polysulfones, synthetic or natural waxes and nitrides, and their mixtures.

If it is in aqueous phase, the coating composition may also contain other additives compatible with the binder, chosen from among an anti-foam agent such as Schwego foam (emulsified hydrocarbon) from Schwegrnan, a wetting agent such as an ethoxylated monylphenol or an ethoxylated polyalcohol, a surfactant agent such as Aerosol TR 70 (sodium sulfosuccinate) from Cytec, and a biocide such as Ecocide D₇₅ from Progiva, and a weak acid such as boric acid to adjust the pH of the composition.

In preferred manner, the coating composition contains the following ingredients:

-   -   10% to 40% by weight of at least one particulate metal;     -   0.5% to 10% by weight of an anticorrosion property reinforcing         agent for the composition chosen from yttrium, zirconium,         lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium, in the form of         oxides or salts, optionally associated with molybdenum oxide         MoO₃;     -   up to 7% by weight of a thickener;     -   3% to 20% by weight of a binder;     -   up to 3% by weight, preferably 0.05% to 2% by weight of a sodium         and/or potassium and/or lithium silicate;     -   up to 7% by weight of one or more lubricating agents;     -   1% to 30% by weight of an organic solvent or a mixture of         organic solvents;     -   optionally 0.1% to 10% by weight of a weak mineral acid such as         boric acid;     -   optionally 0.01% to 1% by weight of an anionic surfactant; and     -   water to make up to 100%.

If the above-cited anticorrosion property reinforcing agent is associated with molybdenum oxide, the latter preferably represents 0.5% to 2% by weight of the composition.

Evidently, the present invention also extends to anticorrosion coatings applied to metal parts using the above-cited compositions.

Application may be made by spraying, dipping-draining or dipping-centrifuging, the layer of coating then being subjected to a baking operation (by convection or infrared for example) preferably conducted at a temperature of between 70° C. and 350° C., for approximately 10 to 60 minutes, by convection.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the anticorrosion coating derives from an application operation involving, prior to the baking operation, a drying operation of the coated metal parts (by convection, or infrared for example), in particular by convection at a temperature in the region of 70° C. for approximately 10 to 30 minutes on line.

Under these conditions, the thickness of the dry film so applied lies between 3 μm (11 g/m²) and 15 μm (55 g/m²), preferably between 4 μm (15 g/m²) and 10 μm (40 g/m²), further preferably between 5 μm (18 g/m²) and 10 μm (40 g/m²).

The present invention also extends to the metal substrate, preferably in steel, provided with an anticorrosion coating applied using the above-cited compositions.

This itself may be coated with another coating to further reinforce some properties, such as anticorrosion protection or lubrication. A coating to reinforce the anticorrosion protection may contain an alkaline silicate, in particular a sodium and/or potassium and/or lithium silicate, an acrylic, a zirconate, a titanate, a silane, an epoxy resin, a phenol resin or one of their mixtures, these resins optionally being associated with a colloidal silica. A coating for lubrication may contain a lubricating agent chosen from among polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, MoS₂, graphite, polysulfones, synthetic or natural waxes, and nitrides, and their mixtures.

Corrosion Tests

A) Influence of Yttrium Oxide (Y₂O₃) in Aqueous Phase Optionally Associated with Molybdenum Oxide (MoO₃) on Anticorrosion Performance.

Comparative experiments were conducted on the coating compositions given in table 1. TABLE 1 composition weight % 1 2 3 4 Y₂O₃ ¹ 0 3.0 0 3.0 MoO₃ 0 0 0.9 0.9 Zinc ² 23.6 Aluminium ³ 3.0 Silane A187 ⁴ 10.1 Sodium silicate 20N32 ⁵ 0.9 Rempcopal ® N4 100 ⁶ 1.4 Rempcopal ® N9 100 ⁷ 1.6 Dipropylene glycol 7.5 Aerosil ® 380 ⁸ <0.1 Schwego Foam ® 8325 ⁹ 0.5 Boric acid 0.8 Deionised water Up to 100% ¹ Y₂O₃ of 99.99% purity (Rhodia) ² Zinc in paste form, approx. 92% in white spirit (80% Alu Stapa PG Chromal VIII, from Eckart Werke) ³ Aluminium, approx. 80% in dipropylene glycol ⁴ γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (Crompton) ⁵ Sodium silicate (Rhodia) ⁶ Wetting agent of ethoxylated nonylphenol type (Uniqema) ⁷ Wetting agent of ethoxylated nonylphenol type (Uniqema) ⁸ Anti-sedimentation agent of silica type (Degussa) ⁹ Antifoam of hydrocarbon type. Prepared samples

-   -   Treated substrate: degreased, shot-blasted steel screws     -   Application of coating composition: dip-centrifuging     -   Baking: 25 min at 310° C.     -   Weight of coating layer: 26±2 g/m²

The steel screws treated in this manner were tested with salt spray according to standard NFISO 9227. Results of salt spray resistance are given in table 2. TABLE 2 Y₂O₃ MoO₃ Resistance to salt Composition (weight %) (weight %) spray (N° hours) 1 0 0 140-260 2 3 0 840 3 0 0.9 500 4 3 0.9 1300

Table 2 clearly shows that the addition of yttrium oxide Y₂O₃ to coating compositions increases resistance to salt spray in samples treated with these compositions.

Also, when yttrium oxide Y₂O₃ is associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃, the anticorrosion performance is further improved. An interaction is observed or a synergy effect between Y₂O₃ and MoO₃, which increases the composition's anticorrosion performance.

B) Influence of Zinc Allowed with 7% Aluminium (Stapa Zn₄Al₇, from Eckkart Werke) on Anticorrosion Performance.

Comparative experiments were conducted on the coating compositions listed in table 3. TABLE 3 composition 5 Identical to composition n° 3 6 Identical to composition n° 4 7 Identical to composition n°4 with the difference that 30% by weight zinc is replaced by zinc alloyed with 7% by weight of aluminium (Stapa Zn₄Al₇, from Eckart Werke). Prepared samples:

-   -   treated substrate: degreased, shot-blasted steel screws     -   Application of coating composition: dip-centrifuging     -   Baking:25 n min at 310° C.     -   Weight of coating layer: 26±2 g/m²

The steel screws were treated with the coating compositions in table 3, then tested with salt spray according to standard NFISO 9227.

Results of resistance to salt spray are given in table 4. TABLE 4 Stapa Resistance to Y₂O₃ MoO₃ Zn₄Al₇/Zn salt spray Composition (weight %) (weight %) (weight %) (N° hours) 5 0 0.9 0 450 6 3 0.9 0 1370 7 3 0.9 30 1900

Table 4 shows that the anticorrosion performance of the composition is better with alloyed zinc than with zinc.

C) Influence of Cerium Chloride in Aqueous Phase on Anticorrosion Performance

Comparative experiments were conducted on the coating compositions listed in table 5. TABLE 5 Composition 8 Identical to composition n° 3 9 Identical to composition n° 1 with the difference that 0.5% by weight of cerium chloride is added in addition to the other ingredients 10 Identical to composition n° 1 with the difference that 2% by weight of cerium chloride is added in addition to the other ingredients Prepared samples

-   -   Treated substrate: degreased, shot blasted steel screws     -   Application of coating composition: dip-centrifuging     -   Baking: 25 min at 310° C.     -   Weight of coating layer: 26±2 g/m²

The steel screws were treated with the coating compositions in table 5, then tested with salt spray in accordance with standard NFISO 9227.

The results of resistance to salt spray are given in table 6. TABLE 6 Cerium chloride Resistance to salt composition (weight %) spray (N° hours) 8 0 200 9 0.5 500 10 2 770

Table 6 clearly shows that the addition of cerium chloride to coating compositions increases the resistance to salt spray of the samples treated with these compositions.

D) Influence of Yttrium Carbonate in Aqueous Phase on Anticorrosion Performance

Comparative experiments were conducted on the coating compositions listed in table 7. TABLE 7 Composition 11 Identical to composition n° 1 12 Identical to composition n° 3 with the difference that 0.8% by weight of MoO₃ is present in the composition instead of 0.9% 13 Identical to composition n° 2 with the difference that 3% by weight of Y₂O₃ are replaced with 6.9% by weight of yttrium carbonate 14 Identical to composition n° 4 with the difference that 3% by weight of Y₂O₃ are replaced with 6.9% by weight of yttrium carbonate and 0.8% by weight of MoO₃ are present in the composition instead of 0.9%

Steel screws were prepared, treated and tested as in example 1. Results of salt spray resistance are given in table 8. TABLE 8 Yttrium Resistance to carbonate MoO₃ salt spray composition (weight %) (weight %) (N° hours) 11 0 0 288 12 0 0.8 400 13 6.9 0 288 14 6.9 0.8 1296

Table 8 clearly shows that, when yttrium carbonate is associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃, the anticorrosion performance is improved. An interaction is observed or a synergy effect between yttrium carbonate and MoO₃, which increases the composition's anticorrosion performance.

E) Influence of Various Oxides in Aqueous Phase on Anticorrosion Performance

Comparative experiments were conducted on the coating compositions listed in table 9. TABLE 9 Composition 15 Identical to composition n° 1 16 Identical to composition n° 3 17 Identical to composition n° 2 18 Identical to composition n° 4 19 Identical to composition n° 2 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is provided by Sogemet 20 Identical to composition n° 4 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is provided by Sogemet 21 Identical to composition n° 2 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with CeO₂ provided by Rhodia 22 Identical to composition n° 4 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with CeO₂ provided by Rhodia 23 Identical to composition n° 2 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with CeO₂ provided by Sogemet 24 Identical to composition n° 4 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with CeO₂ provided by Sogemet 25 Identical to composition n° 2 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with La₂O₃ provided by Rhodia 26 Identical to composition n° 4 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with La₂O₃ provided by Rhodia 27 Identical to composition n° 2 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with La₂O₃ provided by Sogemet 28 Identical to composition n° 4 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with La₂O₃ provided by Sogemet 29 Identical to composition n° 2 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with Pr₆O₁₁ 30 Identical to composition n° 4 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with Pr₆O₁₁ 31 Identical to composition n° 2 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with Nd₂O₃ 32 Identical to composition n° 4 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with Nd₂O₃ 33 Identical to composition n° 2 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with ZrO₂ 34 Identical to composition n° 4 with the difference that Y₂O₃ is replaced with ZrO₂

E-1) Electrochemistry

-   -   Treated substates: degreased and sanded steel plates,     -   Application of coating composition: by means of a hand-coater,     -   Baking: 25 min at 310° C.,     -   Weight of coating layer: 26±2 g/m².

Polarisation resistance of the coatings was measured during one hour with SOLARTRON 1250 analyzer (Schlumberger), air exposed, with a scanning rate of ±10 mV at 0.1 mV.s⁻¹. Results of these measurements are given in table 10. The higher the value of polarization resistance, the better the anticorrosion performance of the coatings is expected. TABLE 10 Polarisation Oxide MoO₃ Resistance composition Oxide (weight %) (weight %) (Ω · cm²) 15 — 0 0 3300 16 — 0 0.9 9100 17 Y₂O₃ Rhodia 3 0 n.d. 18 Y₂O₃ Rhodia 3 0.9 12100 21 CeO₂ Rhodia 3 0 10600 22 CeO₂ Rhodia 3 0.9 12000 23 CeO₂ Sogemet 3 0 10000 24 CeO₂ Sogemet 3 0.9 12000 25 La₂O₃ Rhodia 3 0 n.d. 26 La₂O₃ Rhodia 3 0.9 11900 27 La₂O₃ Sogemet 3 0 9300 28 La₂O₃ Sogemet 3 0.9 10100 29 Pr₆O₁₁ 3 0 9900 30 Pr₆O₁₁ 3 0.9 9800 31 Nd₂O₃ 3 0 9400 32 Nd₂O₃ 3 0.9 10000 33 ZrO₂ 3 0 9200 34 ZrO₂ 3 0.9 12000

Table 10 clearly shows that the addition of oxide of yttrium, cerium, lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium or zirconium to coating compositions increases the polarization resistance of coatings, which indicates that the corrosion resistance of the coating will be likely increased.

E-2) Corrision Resistance

Steel screws were prepared, treated and tested as in example 1. Results of salt spray resistance are given in table 11. TABLE 11 Resistance to Oxide MoO₃ salt spray Composition Oxide (weight %) (weight %) (N° hours) 15 — 0 0 288 16 — 0 0.9 400 17 Y₂O₃ Rhodia 3 0 1056 18 Y₂O₃ Rhodia 3 0.9 >1500 19 Y₂O₃ Sogemet 3 0 1296 20 Y₂O₃ Sogemet 3 0.9 >1656 21 CeO₂ Rhodia 3 0 144 22 CeO₂ Rhodia 3 0.9 720 23 CeO₂ Sogemet 3 0 144 24 CeO₂ Sogemet 3 0.9 792 25 La₂O₃ Rhodia 3 0 336 26 La₂O₃ Rhodia 3 0.9 552 27 La₂O₃ Sogemet 3 0 552 28 La₂O₃ Sogemet 3 0.9 864 29 Pr₆O₁₁ 3 0 504 30 Pr₆O₁₁ 3 0.9 864 31 Nd₂O₃ 3 0 288 32 Nd₂O₃ 3 0.9 1560 33 ZrO₂ 3 0 288 34 ZrO₂ 3 0.9 456

Table 11 clearly shows that the addition of oxide of yttrium, lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium or zirconium to coating compositions increases the resistance to salt spray of the samples treated with these compositions. The best oxide appears to be Y₂O₃, but Neodynium, Praseodynium and Lanthanum give also very good results too.

Furthermore, when the oxide is associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃, the anticorrosion performance is further improved. An interaction is observed or a synergy effect between the oxide and MoO₃, which increases the composition's anticorrosion performance. 

1. A method for reinforcing the anticorrosion properties of a coating composition for metal parts containing a particulate metal, in aqueous or organic phase, which method comprises the step of adding at least one element selected from yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium, in the form of oxides or salts, to the anticorrosion coating composition.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein one of said elements is associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃.
 3. The method according to claim 1, to wherein the method reinforces the efficacy of the anticorrosion protection imparted by the particulate metal, the latter preferably being added to the composition in powder form of varying geometric structure, homogenous or heterogeneous, in particular of spherical, lamellar or lenticular structure.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said element is yttrium, preferably in the oxide form Y₂O₃.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said yttrium oxide Y₂O₃ is used in the form of particles having a size of between 1 μm and 40 μm with a D₅₀ of less than 3 μm.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said element is cerium, preferably in the form of cerium chloride or in the oxide form CeO₂.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said element is La₂O₃, Pr₆O₁₁, Nd₂O₃ or ZrO₂.
 8. The method according to claim 2, wherein said molybdenum oxide MoO₃ is in an essentially pure orthorhombic crystalline form having a molybdenum content greater than approximately 60% by weight.
 9. The method according to claim 2, wherein said molybdenum oxide MoO₃ is in the form of particles having a size of between 1 μm and 200 μm.
 10. The method according to claim 2, wherein said element is associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃ in a weight proportion of 0.25<element:MoO₃<20, preferably 0.5<element: MoO₃<16, further preferably 0.5<element:MoO₃<14.
 11. An anticorrosion coating composition for metal parts, which composition contains: at least one particulate metal; a reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition selected from the group consisting of yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium, in the form of oxides or salts; a binder; and either water optionally associated with one or more organic solvents, or one or more inter-miscible organic solvents,
 12. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition is associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃.
 13. The composition according to claim 12, which composition-contains 0.5% to 2% by weight molybdenum oxide MoO₃.
 14. The composition according to claim 13, which composition contains 10% to 40% by weight of at least one particulate metal.
 15. The composition according to any of claim 11, wherein the particulate metal is selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminium, tin, manganese, nickel, their alloys, and their mixtures.
 16. The composition according to claim 11, wherein the particulate metal is selected from group consisting of zinc, aluminium, their alloys and their mixtures.
 17. The composition according to any of claim 11, which composition contains 0.5% to 10% by weight of said reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition, preferably from 1% to 8% by weight, further preferably from 1 to 7% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition.
 18. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition is yttrium, preferably in the oxide form Y₂0₃.
 19. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition is cerium, preferably in the form of cerium chloride or in the oxide form CeO₂.
 20. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition is selected from the group consisting of La₂O₃, Pr₆O₁₁, Nd₂O₃ and ZrO₂.
 21. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition is associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃ in a weight proportion 0.25<anticorrosion property reinforcing agent:MoO₃<20, preferably 0.5<anticorrosion property reinforcing agent:MoO₃<16, further preferably 0.5<anticorrosion property reinforcing agent:MoO₃<14.
 22. The composition according to claim 11, which composition contains 3% to 20% by weight of an organic binder and/or mineral binder, in aqueous or organic phase.
 23. The composition according to claim 11, wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of an alcoxylated silane, optionally organofunctionalised, a silicone resin, a colloidal silica, a silicate of sodium and/or potassium and/or lithium, a zirconate, a titanate, an epoxy resin, a phenoxy resin, an acrylic and their mixtures, optionally associated with a crosslinking agent of phenolic type or of aminoplastic type.
 24. The composition according to claim 23, wherein the binder is an organo-functionalised silane such as γ-glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane and γ-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane.
 25. The composition according to claim 11, which composition contains an organic solvent chosen from among white spirit, alcohols, ketones, aromatic solvents and glycol solvents such as glycol ethers, in particular diethyleneglycol, triethyleneglycol and dipropyleneglycol, acetates, polyethyleneglycol and nitropropane, and their mixtures.
 26. The composition according to claim 11, which composition further contains up to 7% by weight of a thickening agent.
 27. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said thickening agent is selected from group consisting of cellulose derivatives such as hydroxymethyl-cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, xanthane gum, associative thickeners of polyurethane or acrylic type, silicas, silicates such as silicates of magnesium and/or lithium optionally treated, or organophilic clays, and their mixtures.
 28. The composition according to claim 11, which composition further contains a lubricating agent to obtain a self-lubricated system selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, MOS₂, graphite, polysulfones, synthetic or natural waxes and nitrides, and their mixtures.
 29. The composition according to claim 11, which composition further contains an additive selected from the group consisting of an antifoam agent, a wetting agent, a surfactant and a bibcide.
 30. The composition according to claim 11, which composition contains: 10% to 40% by weight of at least one particulate metal; 0.5% to 10% of a reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of the composition selected from the group consisting of yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium, in the form of oxides or salts, optionally associated with molybdenum oxide MoO₃; up to 7% by weight of a thickener; 3% to 20% by weight of a binder; up to 3% by weight, preferably between 0.05% and 2% by weight of a sodium and/or potassium and/or lithium silicate; up to 7% by weight of one or more lubricating agents; 1% to 30% by weight of an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents, and water to make up to 100%.
 31. The composition according to claim 30, which composition further contains 0.1% to 10% by weight of a weak mineral acid such as boric acid.
 32. The composition according to claim 30, which composition further contains 0.01% to 1% by weight of an anionic surfactant.
 33. A metal substrate coated with an anticorrosion coating, which coating is established on said metal substrate by spraying, dip-draining or dip-centrifuging a layer of the composition of claim 11 on said metal substrate, and by baking said layer by convection or infrared for example, preferably a temperature of between 79° C. and 350° C., for approximately 10 to 60 minutes, by convection.
 34. The coated metal substrate according to claim 33, wherein said layer is subjected to a drying operation, by convection or infrared for example, in particular by convection at a temperature in the region of 70° C. for approximately 10 to 30 minutes on line prior to the baking operation.
 35. The metal substrate according to claim 33, wherein said layer is applied to said metal substrate to be protected with a dry film thickness of between 3 μm (11 g/m²) and 15 μm (55 g/m²), preferably between 4 μm (15 g/m²) and 10 μm (40 g/m²), further preferably between 5 μm (18 m/g₂) and 10 μm (40 g/m²)
 36. (canceled)
 37. The metal substrate according to claim 33, wherein the anticorrosion coating is itself coated with another coating comprising an alkaline silicate, in particular a sodium and/or potassium and/or lithium silicate, an acrylic, a zirconate, a titanate, a silane, an epoxy resin, a phenol resin or one of their mixtures, these resins optionally being associated with a colloidal silica.
 38. The metal substrate according to claim 33, wherein the anticorrosion coating is itself coated with another coating comprising a lubricating agent chosen from among polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, MoS₂, graphite, polysulfones, synthetic or natural waxes and nitrides and their mixtures. 